Two Dubai-based restaurants—Orfali Bros Bistro and Tresind Studio—have clinched coveted spots on the 2025 edition of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, an internationally respected benchmark for gastronomic excellence.
Orfali Bros, ranked 37th this year, and Tresind Studio, climbing to the 27th spot, were the only Middle Eastern representatives to make the globally competitive list, which celebrates creativity, consistency, and cutting-edge dining experiences.
The inclusion of these two restaurants underscores Dubai’s rise not only as a luxury travel and business hub but also as a culinary destination that blends innovation, heritage, and diverse global influences.
A Fusion of Cultures and Craft: Orfali Bros
Led by Syrian chef Mohammad Orfali and his brothers, Orfali Bros Bistro has emerged as a true culinary disruptor. Located in Dubai’s Wasl 51 neighborhood, the restaurant is celebrated for its inventive dishes that marry Middle Eastern flavors with modern techniques and a strong narrative.
What distinguishes Orfali Bros is its open test kitchen format, where diners witness the chefs’ creativity in real time. Signature dishes such as Shish Barak à la Gyoza and Corn Bomb pay homage to Levantine roots while challenging expectations through bold textures and presentation.
Critics and judges from the 50 Best committee praised the bistro’s commitment to culinary storytelling, innovation, and cultural depth—highlighting its role in defining what contemporary Middle Eastern cuisine can be.
Fine Dining Reimagined: Tresind Studio
Helmed by chef Himanshu Saini, Tresind Studio is no stranger to global accolades. It has become a trailblazer in the realm of progressive Indian cuisine, seamlessly woven into the fine-dining ethos of the UAE. The restaurant’s unique multi-course tasting menu emphasizes seasonal ingredients and offers a theatrical presentation that balances Indian heritage with avant-garde technique.
Ranked 27th in the world, Tresind Studio stood out for its intimate setting (seating just 20 guests per service), interactive kitchen, and a menu that rotates around stories—like a culinary narrative exploring India’s diverse regions and flavor palates. Reviewers described it as “one of the most emotionally resonant dining experiences in the region.”
The recognition of Orfali Bros and Tresind Studio is a significant cultural milestone, signaling a broader culinary awakening across the Middle East. For years, the region has been underrepresented in the global haute cuisine scene, but Dubai’s ever-growing food ecosystem—driven by investment, multiculturalism, and tourism—has set the stage for local talents to flourish.
In a comment to 50 Best, a spokesperson highlighted that both restaurants bring “unique voices to the global stage, reflecting authenticity while pushing boundaries—something that represents the future of gastronomy.”
As Dubai cements its place on the world’s gastronomic map, these accolades may inspire a new wave of regional chefs to dream bigger, innovate further, and tell their own stories through food.
Moreover, with UAE’s growing investment in culinary education and events like Gault & Millau and Michelin expanding into the region, the momentum for Middle Eastern gastronomy as a global contender has never been stronger.
For Orfali Bros and Tresind Studio, this is not just a recognition—it’s an invitation to the world to taste the modern Middle East.
